Weed management indices as affected by different weed control treatments in tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze]

An experiment was conducted on farmer’s field, at village Tanda, Palampur to study the efficacy of glyphosate formulations i.e., glyphosate IPA salt 41% SL and glyphosate potassium salt 46% SL for managing weeds in tea through different weed management indices during 2020. Ten weed control treatments viz., glyphosate IPA salt 41% SL 2000, 4000 and 8000 ml/ha, glyphosate potassium salt 46% SL 1440, 2880 and 5760 ml/ha, paraquat dichloride 24% SL 2000 ml/ha, glyphosate 41% 4000 ml/ha, glufosinate ammonium 13.5% 3333 ml/ha and weedy check were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications. Weed indices were calculated which revealed that all chemical treatments significantly reduced weed infestation when compared to weedy check. Glyphosate potassium salt 5760 ml/ha and glyphosate IPA salt 8000 ml/ha, behaving statistically alike with their lower doses i.e., 2880 and 4000 ml/ha, resulted in significantly higher bush height and girth of tea which may be due to effective control of weeds through these herbicides which ultimately helped in better growth of shoots.